Gordon catapults into crowd for amazing grab

CHICAGO -- Royals left fielder Alex Gordon hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning of a 5-3 loss to the White Sox on Sunday afternoon, but his most impressive "hit" came in the sixth inning when the left fielder made a leaping catch before crashing into the stands at U.S. Cellular Field.

"I thought it was phenomenal," manager Ned Yost said. "That's the type of player Alex is."

Micah Johnson of the White Sox, leading off the inning, lifted a fly ball down the left-field line and Gordon, who won the fourth American League Gold Glove Award of his career in 2014, sprinted full speed after it. Gordon, barely slowing down, leaped over the short fence and made a backhand snag just before landing on a group of fans sitting in the second row.

Video: #THIS: Gordon makes catch, falls into the stands

According to Statcast, Gordon reached a top speed of 18.6 mph and covered more than 87 feet. His route efficiency was measured at 98.9.

"I knew it was going to be close to the fence," Gordon said. "I actually judged it pretty good and knew where the fence was and where the ball was going. I just said, '[Screw] it,' and jumped in the stands."

Yost was asked if he fears Gordon will injure himself when he makes a play like that.

"No, he's as solid as a rock," the manager said. "He bams into fences, skids on the warning track and dives all over the place and comes up good."

Video: KC@CWS: Gordon doubles up Cabrera at second

Two innings earlier, Gordon made a running catch of a liner off the bat of Avisail Garcia and doubled Melky Cabrera off second base to end the inning.

"The ball in the stands was flashy," Yost said, "but the double-play ball when he ran to the line and turned in one motion and threw a bullet back to second base, I mean, that was a huge play, too."